Life is precious.
Today was a good day for my daddy. Mom and I went to the hospital around 11:00 and pretty much spent the day up there. When we arrived, he was ready for visitors, so we were able to walk right on in. Daddy was all smiles. Eyes bright and gleaming. He looked peaceful and well rested. He was ready to talk, even though he cannot speak. Yet.
Today was a good day for my daddy. Mom and I went to the hospital around 11:00 and pretty much spent the day up there. When we arrived, he was ready for visitors, so we were able to walk right on in. Daddy was all smiles. Eyes bright and gleaming. He looked peaceful and well rested. He was ready to talk, even though he cannot speak. Yet.
I've been posting so many long posts, and I'm determined to not get carried away tonight. What I am going to do is list the wonderful events of the day and then I will expand on my topic further.
1. Dad was glad to see us and smiled a lot today.
2. Dad told us he is ready to go home.
3. Dad told me the nurses are pretty!
4. He also told me they are very nice ... And, not mean, as they had predicted he might say!
5. Dad was so happy when we told him Auburn, Alabama and UT all won last weekend. (However, I'm pretty certain he's not as happy about today's outcome!)
6. One of dad's nurses, Amy, told him she was raised as an Auburn fan. Even her 5 year old son is a fan. He wore an Auburn shirt to preschool the other day and when asked if he was an Auburn fan, the little fella shouted out "WAR EAGLE!!" Dad liked that so much he slapped his knee and threw his head back as if to belly-laugh!
7. Dad said he's hungry and thirsty several times. His brain will adapt to the changes of being fed through the stomach tube, but only after he fully understands why it's happening. Dad LOVES diet cokes, chocolate, ginger snaps, and cheez-its ... This ain't gonna be easy!!
8. Dad told mom she's pretty.
9. Dad told one of the nurses he wanted a kiss. She said, "Mercer! Your wife is sitting right over there! What will she think?!" We all laughed. So glad she has an awesome sense of humor!!
10. His lungs are strong and he's able to cough up the fluids that are in his lungs ... That's a VERY good thing!
11. They took the ventilator OUT of his room ... YEA!!!!!
12. Dad stayed awake the entire time we were there, so he's gaining strength quickly.
13. We gave daddy a clipboard, paper and pencil this morning. His first few attempts at writing were definitely effected by gravity. The next time was better, but still not readable. We are hopeful that it will be better tomorrow.
14. Dad pulled the T bar out of his trach a few times and didn't freak out of have any trouble breathing. The T bar supplies a light steady stream of 28% oxygen that's mainly there for moisture.
15. Dad was able to communicate a lot with his hand gestures, plus we are getting better at reading lips.
1. Dad was glad to see us and smiled a lot today.
2. Dad told us he is ready to go home.
3. Dad told me the nurses are pretty!
4. He also told me they are very nice ... And, not mean, as they had predicted he might say!
5. Dad was so happy when we told him Auburn, Alabama and UT all won last weekend. (However, I'm pretty certain he's not as happy about today's outcome!)
6. One of dad's nurses, Amy, told him she was raised as an Auburn fan. Even her 5 year old son is a fan. He wore an Auburn shirt to preschool the other day and when asked if he was an Auburn fan, the little fella shouted out "WAR EAGLE!!" Dad liked that so much he slapped his knee and threw his head back as if to belly-laugh!
7. Dad said he's hungry and thirsty several times. His brain will adapt to the changes of being fed through the stomach tube, but only after he fully understands why it's happening. Dad LOVES diet cokes, chocolate, ginger snaps, and cheez-its ... This ain't gonna be easy!!
8. Dad told mom she's pretty.
9. Dad told one of the nurses he wanted a kiss. She said, "Mercer! Your wife is sitting right over there! What will she think?!" We all laughed. So glad she has an awesome sense of humor!!
10. His lungs are strong and he's able to cough up the fluids that are in his lungs ... That's a VERY good thing!
11. They took the ventilator OUT of his room ... YEA!!!!!
12. Dad stayed awake the entire time we were there, so he's gaining strength quickly.
13. We gave daddy a clipboard, paper and pencil this morning. His first few attempts at writing were definitely effected by gravity. The next time was better, but still not readable. We are hopeful that it will be better tomorrow.
14. Dad pulled the T bar out of his trach a few times and didn't freak out of have any trouble breathing. The T bar supplies a light steady stream of 28% oxygen that's mainly there for moisture.
15. Dad was able to communicate a lot with his hand gestures, plus we are getting better at reading lips.
Okay, so November is supposed to be 30 Days of Thanks month. Our family has so many things to be thankful for and these things on this list are just a few. I'm working on a more complete list, but I will probably post that as a "Note" rather than a daily post.
Life is precious.
We all know we only have a limited amount of time on this earth, and unfortunately, we don't know how much time that is.
For some, their time on earth is only minutes. Those are the little angels God sends down to touch us forever. To make us grateful. To remind us how precious each second is.
For others, their time may only be a few years or decades. We watch them grow and enjoy life, then their light is snuffed out way too young. We are left wondering why they were called away so young. We remember them always. We miss them forever.
And then there are those who live long lives filled with experiences, knowledge, and love. Oftentimes they have children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Those are the true libraries of our time. Unfortunately, many of them are afflicted with health issues that cause them to forget parts of their lives. All too often, those parts of their lives aren't documented or shared, so their families never know the events that made them who they are.
We all know we only have a limited amount of time on this earth, and unfortunately, we don't know how much time that is.
For some, their time on earth is only minutes. Those are the little angels God sends down to touch us forever. To make us grateful. To remind us how precious each second is.
For others, their time may only be a few years or decades. We watch them grow and enjoy life, then their light is snuffed out way too young. We are left wondering why they were called away so young. We remember them always. We miss them forever.
And then there are those who live long lives filled with experiences, knowledge, and love. Oftentimes they have children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Those are the true libraries of our time. Unfortunately, many of them are afflicted with health issues that cause them to forget parts of their lives. All too often, those parts of their lives aren't documented or shared, so their families never know the events that made them who they are.
No matter how long we have on this earth, we all should be open with our loved ones and share our hearts, our minds, our souls.
Share. Care. Enjoy. Cherish. Forgive. Remember. Love.
Again, I thank you all for sharing this journey with my family. Please remember to share with your own. Life is precious.
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